7. Iranian Calendar
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Country Information and Guidance Iran: Background Information, including actors of protection and internal relocation Version 3.0 July 2016 Preface This document provides country of origin information (COI) and guidance to Home Office decision makers on handling particular types of protection and human rights claims. This includes whether claims are likely to justify the granting of asylum, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave and whether – in the event of a claim being refused – it is likely to be certifiable as ‘clearly unfounded’ under s94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. Decision makers must consider claims on an individual basis, taking into account the case specific facts and all relevant evidence, including: the guidance contained with this document; the available COI; any applicable caselaw; and the Home Office casework guidance in relation to relevant policies. Country Information The COI within this document has been compiled from a wide range of external information sources (usually) published in English. Consideration has been given to the relevance, reliability, accuracy, objectivity, currency, transparency and traceability of the information and wherever possible attempts have been made to corroborate the information used across independent sources, to ensure accuracy. All sources cited have been referenced in footnotes. It has been researched and presented with reference to the Common EU [European Union] Guidelines for Processing Country of Origin Information (COI), dated April 2008, and the European Asylum Support Office’s research guidelines, Country of Origin Information report methodology, dated July 2012. Feedback Our goal is to continuously improve the guidance and information we provide. Therefore, if you would like to comment on this document, please email the Country Policy and Information Team. Independent Advisory Group on Country Information The Independent Advisory Group on Country Information (IAGCI) was set up in March 2009 by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration to make recommendations to him about the content of the Home Office’s COI material. The IAGCI welcomes feedback on the Home Office’s COI material. It is not the function of the IAGCI to endorse any Home Office material, procedures or policy. IAGCI may be contacted at: Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, 5th Floor, Globe House, 89 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PN. Email: [email protected] Information about the IAGCI’s work and a list of the COI documents which have been reviewed by the IAGCI can be found on the Independent Chief Inspector’s website at http://icinspector.independent.gov.uk/country-information-reviews/ Page 2 of 47 Contents Guidance ................................................................................................................... 5 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Summary of issues ................................................................................... 5 2. Consideration of Issues ................................................................................... 5 2.1 Protection ................................................................................................. 5 2.2 Internal relocation ..................................................................................... 6 3. Policy summary ............................................................................................... 6 Country Information ................................................................................................. 7 4. History ............................................................................................................. 7 5. Geography and Demography .......................................................................... 7 5.1 Geography ................................................................................................ 7 5.2 Demography ............................................................................................. 7 6. Constitution ...................................................................................................... 8 7. Iranian calendar ............................................................................................... 9 8. Economy .......................................................................................................... 9 8.1 Overview .................................................................................................. 9 8.2 Employment ........................................................................................... 10 9. Education ....................................................................................................... 12 10. Political system .............................................................................................. 12 10.1 The Supreme Leader ............................................................................. 12 10.2 The President ......................................................................................... 13 10.3 Political parties ....................................................................................... 14 11. Law enforcement agencies ............................................................................ 15 11.1 Overview ................................................................................................ 15 11.2 Police- Law Enforcement Forces (Niruha-ye Entezami-ye Jomhuri-ye Islami: LEF).................................................................................................... 16 11.3 Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC also known as Pasdaran) ......... 17 11.4 Basij ....................................................................................................... 19 11.5 Basij as ‘morality police’ ......................................................................... 21 11.6 Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and Vezarat-e Ettela’at va Amniat-e Keshvar (VEVAK) aka Ettela’at ...................................................... 23 11.7 Human rights violations and impunity ..................................................... 24 12. Judiciary ........................................................................................................ 26 12.1 Organisation ........................................................................................... 26 Page 3 of 47 12.2 Fair Trial ................................................................................................. 28 12.3 Summonses ........................................................................................... 30 12.4 Arrest warrants ....................................................................................... 34 12.5 Double jeopardy ..................................................................................... 36 13. Corruption ...................................................................................................... 37 14. Freedom of movement ................................................................................... 40 15. Citizenship and nationality ............................................................................. 41 16. Identity cards ................................................................................................. 43 17. Forged and fraudulently obtained documents ................................................ 44 Version Control and Contacts ............................................................................... 47 Page 4 of 47 Guidance Updated 18 July 2016 1. Introduction 1.1 Summary of issues 1.1.1 In general, are those at risk of persecution or serious harm able to seek effective protection? 1.1.2 In general, are those at risk of persecution or serious harm able to internally relocate to escape that risk? Back to Contents 2. Consideration of Issues 2.1 Protection 2.1.1 The security forces, including paramilitary forces, commit serious human rights abuses including, arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, unlawful killings, disappearances, torture and other ill-treatment. Reports also indicate the increase in the application of the death penalty. The security and intelligence forces continue to be the main perpetrators of human rights abuses in Iran. Corruption and impunity also continue to be problems and the security forces are reportedly not fully effective in combating crime (see Law enforcement agencies). 2.1.2 There is a functioning criminal justice system. However, there are numerous reports that the court system is subject to political interference, bribery and corruption. Defendants are often denied access to representation and the right to appeal and reports indicate that Judges commonly accept coerced confessions, disregard torture or abuse during detention and ignore evidence offered by the defence. Trials, including those which award the death penalty, disregard international standards of fairness. Regime officials, security and intelligence forces continuing to enjoy a high level of impunity (see Judiciary). 2.1.3 If the person’s fear is of ill-treatment/persecution by the state authorities, or by agents acting on behalf of the state, they would not be able to avail themselves of the protection of the authorities. 2.1.4 If the ill-treatment/persecution is at the hands of non-state agents, then the provision of effective state protection is likely to be undermined by the security forces’ inefficiency